Indonesian Police Foil Major Marijuana Smuggling Plot Within Southeast Asia

Indonesian police have arrested two individuals linked to a marijuana smuggling network, preventing the distribution of over 100 kg of marijuana from Southeast Asia to the United Kingdom. Authorities discovered the drug concealed in bed linens and cat toys, marking an unusual transnational case of drug trafficking in the region.

Indonesian police have arrested two people for their alleged links to a marijuana smuggling network, foiling plans to send the drug in packages of bed linen and cat toys from Southeast Asia to the United Kingdom, authorities confirmed on Monday.

Marijuana busts occur occasionally in Indonesia, but the transnational nature of this case is unusual, said Marthinus Hukom, chief of Indonesia's narcotics agency. "This is a new phenomenon as the marijuana from Thailand was sent first to Indonesia then [was destined for] Europe," Hukom stated. Police found more than 30 kg of marijuana hidden in packages of bed linen and cat toys during a raid at Soekarno Hatta Airport on July 25. A subsequent raid uncovered more than 80 kg of marijuana at a shophouse connected to the same people.

Authorities estimate the total street value of the haul was 25 billion rupiah ($1.54 million). The two suspects face charges of violating Indonesia's narcotics law, which carries the death sentence as the maximum penalty.

Thailand decriminalized marijuana in 2022, leading to an increase in recreational use and the launch of cannabis cafes and retailers. Earlier this year, the Thai government announced plans to re-criminalize cannabis but recently decided to legislate marijuana for medical use.

($1 = 16,195.0000 rupiah)

(With inputs from agencies.)